Learning Goal

Learning Goal: ESS2 - The earth is part of a solar system, made up of distinct parts that have temporal and spatial interrelationships.

What does this standard mean?

• Earth is one of nine planets and many smaller objects that revolve around the Sun making up the solar system
• Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are the “inner” planets closest to the Sun
• Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are “outer” planets furthest from the Sun
• Inner planets are rocky
• Outer planets are gaseous (with the exception of Pluto)
• The Earth’s distance from the Sun places it in the “Habitable Zone” of the solar system
• The Earth is the only planet in the solar system that can sustain life
• The Earth is the only planet currently located in the Habitable Zone of the solar system
  • Habitable Zone – the boundaries that mark the distance from the star where a planet could maintain liquid water

What prior knowledge do students need to know to understand the standard?

• Sun centered model - The sun is the center of the solar system with all nine planets revolving around it
• Characteristics of Earth that allow it to support life
• Orbits of planets are elliptical
• Scale of the planets in relation to one another
• Formation of the solar system
  • Gravitational attraction
  • Process of fusion- hydrogen to helium
  • Density
• Creation of the universe – Big Bang Theory
  • Expansion of the universe as a result of an explosion
• Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion
  • Planets closer to the Sun travel faster around it than planets further away from the Sun
• Planets absorb heat energy from the Sun and radiate it back into space

What misconceptions might students have around the topics contained in the standard?

• Planets orbits are circular
• All planets orbit at the same speed
• All planets are in a line from the Sun
• Stars with high luminosities will have a smaller Habitable Zone around it